The quiet lefthander showed everybody with a no-hitter Friday night for San Francisco against the San Diego Padres, the first by the Giants in nearly 33 years.

What made it even more special for Sanchez was that his father, Sigfredo, had flown in from Puerto Rico to watch his son start for the first time.

Sanchez (3-8) was nearly perfect in the 8-0 victory. Third baseman Juan Uribe booted Chase Headley's grounder with one out in the eighth inning for San Diego's lone baserunner.

Sanchez almost lost his bid in the ninth, but Gold Glove centerfielder Aaron Rowand saved the day with a leaping grab at the center-field fence to rob Edgar Gonzalez for the second out. "I was going to go up and over and land on the other side of the fence if I had to, to try to make the catch," the former Phillie said.

It wasn't until the final batter stepped in that Sanchez really allowed himself to think about what was within his grasp.

"I saw the crowd up and said, 'Now I've got to get this. I can have it.' "

It was the Giants' 13th no-hitter and first since John Montefusco did it Sept. 29, 1976, at Atlanta. Their last one in San Francisco came when Ed Halicki no-hit the New York Mets on Aug. 24, 1975.

"It's awesome. I can't believe I just threw a no-hitter out there," Sanchez said.